86 



decided character. An eruption of ashes, which 

 lasts only a few minutes, is often followed by a 

 calm of ten years. In such circumstances, it 

 is easy to mark the periods, and recognize the 

 coincidence of phenomena. 



Admitting* what we cannot doubt, that the 

 destruction of Cumana in 1797, and that of 

 Caraccas in 1812, indicate the influence of the 

 volcanoes of the Caribbee islands * on the com- 

 motions felt on the coasts of Terra Firm a, it 

 will be advantageous, before we close this 



* The following is the series of the phenomena : , 



27th of September, 1796. Eruption in the West India 



islands. Volcano of Guadaloupe. 



November, 1796. The volcano of Pasto begins to emit 



smoke. 



14th of December, 1796. Destruction of Cumana. 



4th of February, 1797. Destruction of Hiobamba. 



30th of January, 1811. .Appearance of Sabrina island, m 

 the Azores. It increases particularly on the 15th of June, 

 1811. 



May, 1811. Beginning of the earthquakes in the island 

 St. Vincent, which lasted till May, 1812. 



16th of December, 1811. Beginning of the commotions in 

 the Valley of the Missisippi and the Ohio, which lasted till 

 1813. 



December, 1811. Earthquake at Caraccas. 



26th of March, 1811. Destruction of Caraccas. Earth- 

 quakes which continued till 1813. 



30th of April, 1811. Eruption of the volcano in St. Vin- 

 cent's ; and the same day subterranean noises at Caraccas^ 

 and on the banks of the A para. 



